Arcane Bridges or How I Found Fedoras On Giraffes Vol. IV

[BrianZaremba]

Well it's about time I threw something up here for all of you who don't visit my DA or SA or LOMONOPOLYZYZXY so I'll post my newest submission to those famed acronyms.

This is my first attempt at digital coloring/painting. I think there are a few things I still to need to add to the face because...I don't know it just kind of comes off as too simple compared to the rest of the piece which has more tones and shading. I don't know maybe I'm just trying to think of it that all things require a certain amount in that rhythm. So any suggestions are great or compliments or angry rants are welcome.

[RobjaFalu]

Pretty nice! The composition is pretty cool. I agree with the face, the shading doesn't really match the rest, but don't add detail to it because everything else is simplistic as well. Just adding a more dramatic shade style would do it justice, heavy shadows under/over the eyes, chin area, complete left side of face/neck/body, being shadowed (depending on where your light source is). Very nice jorb though.

[rtil]

the problem with the figure is that it is is lacking any sort of line quality. you went for a psuedo-painterly style, but you're not pushing your values, so he's getting a little muddy. A lot of people get the idea that to be painterly you avoid line completely. This is totally untrue and will ruin your paintings. Subtle, very dark lines in the right places will make your figures pop out and look convincing. For example, the brim of his hat could use a dark green thin line instead of no tone from the green to mid-dark green. It wouldn't be a problem if you were doing vector shading, but you're not, so you need to take extra steps to create form.

[dilly]

The fire is really awesome, but is he supposed to have no irises and pupils? Also, the hat and the cigarette look very nice. Might I suggest that you put a small white or other colored line between where the cheek bone is and where the back of the head starts? That will show that the two are separate from each other. Also, the cheek bone could be bigger, unless you wanted to make the face that narrow.

[BrianZaremba]

Pretty nice! The composition is pretty cool. I agree with the face, the shading doesn't really match the rest, but don't add detail to it because everything else is simplistic as well. Just adding a more dramatic shade style would do it justice, heavy shadows under/over the eyes, chin area, complete left side of face/neck/body, being shadowed (depending on where your light source is). Very nice jorb though.

Thank you, I took a few photos yesterday of me trying to mimic the light source and the shape of his face. I looked at it and saw the areas where I could shade more and even lighten it up a little. So now I can see where the face needs more colors.

the problem with the figure is that it is is lacking any sort of line quality. you went for a psuedo-painterly style, but you're not pushing your values, so he's getting a little muddy. A lot of people get the idea that to be painterly you avoid line completely. This is totally untrue and will ruin your paintings. Subtle, very dark lines in the right places will make your figures pop out and look convincing. For example, the brim of his hat could use a dark green thin line instead of no tone from the green to mid-dark green. It wouldn't be a problem if you were doing vector shading, but you're not, so you need to take extra steps to create form.

So I should subtly outline more of the shapes in the picture to bring out the form more? I just want to make sure I know what I should be doing.

The fire is really awesome, but is he supposed to have no irises and pupils? Also, the hat and the cigarette look very nice. Might I suggest that you put a small white or other colored line between where the cheek bone is and where the back of the head starts? That will show that the two are separate from each other. Also, the cheek bone could be bigger, unless you wanted to make the face that narrow.

Yes, he's no supposed to have pupils, it's the most common set of eyes I use in my drawings. I sometimes do draw pupils and what though. The face supposed to be narrow, but I did make the cheek bone bigger because I mimicked what the face is supposed to be like and realized it should go down more. I'll also try out that line you told me to draw.

[rtil]

the problem with the figure is that it is is lacking any sort of line quality. you went for a psuedo-painterly style, but you're not pushing your values, so he's getting a little muddy. A lot of people get the idea that to be painterly you avoid line completely. This is totally untrue and will ruin your paintings. Subtle, very dark lines in the right places will make your figures pop out and look convincing. For example, the brim of his hat could use a dark green thin line instead of no tone from the green to mid-dark green. It wouldn't be a problem if you were doing vector shading, but you're not, so you need to take extra steps to create form.

So I should subtly outline more of the shapes in the picture to bring out the form more? I just want to make sure I know what I should be doing.

yes, that's pretty much the jist of it. one advantage of digital painting also turns into a disadvantage. zooming way in and painting there you get the idea of "oh, this looks great", then you zoom out and realize it's a muddy mess. just the same as not putting your face 2 inches away from the paper while you're drawing, you should stay zoomed out from your picture as often as you can unless you have to put in some detail. otherwise, stay away from the zoom, push your values, and know when to use line. takes time and practice, but you'll get it.

[BrianZaremba]

Quick update on how it looks like right now.

[rtil]

i can see some improvements. looking better

i'd say in your next pic work with a more dynamic light source and add a real environment background.

[RobjaFalu]

push the shadows more. and smooth out the edges. looking good.